Maksim Update: 2.3 Years Old

Since we started Maksim in preschool in January we are already seeing the effects.  He is learning so quickly.  New words come out of his mouth everyday.  Some I still struggle to understand, but it's really cute.

Update:

• Officially in a big boy bed.  The cribs rail is down.  He frequents our bed a lot more now, hehe.
• Learned how to do a somersault
• Started putting sentences together
• Sharks are awesome......period
• Loves, loves, loves swimming 
• Counting up to 12.  After 12 it's a jumble of numbers
• He's got ABCD and WXYZ down, the middle of the alphabet also a jumble
• I tell him I love him before bed and he says it back to me....its the best feeling ever

Love,
First Gen Fam

Maksim: Master Candle Blower

Maksim is a master candle blower as you can see from both videos below.  The first video is of his actually birthday and the second is at his party.  We really didn't even practice with him.  He just got it on his own.  He never fails to surprise me.




Love,
First Gen Fam

Maksim's Birthday well spent....

We took Maksim to Toys 'R" Us to pick out a gift for his second birthday.  After we stopped at Chuck E. Cheese for some fun.  He asked for pizza and whip cream on the way home and that is what he got!  He was a very happy little boy.  Mission accomplished.

Papa took this down from the display.  Maksim road it around the store.  We got some looks that's for sure.

His "big truck" present of choice.

Chuck E. Cheese souvenirs

Love,
First Gen Fam

Merry Birthday to my Maksim

Where has the time gone.  I cannot believe my Maksim is 2 years old today.  He is the best gift I have ever received and I know mom's say this all the time but until you have a child you really do  not know what love really is.  It's something deeper that I have ever felt in my life.  I constantly think (and worry) about him.  His excitement is my excitement and his hurts are my hurts.  As my own mother would say he really is an extension of me.  I love him from the wild hairs on top of his head all the way down to his massive toddler toes.  So much so I feel like my heart could explode.  Happy second birthday to my little man, you are my everything.

What's 2 year old Maksim up to these days:

• He officially started repeating words we say about a couple months ago.  We officially have to start watching what we say.
• He is a master of the iPad.  Did I mention he can Skype people all on his own.  His mastery at it all astonishes all.
• He loves pizza, M&Ms, beans, corn, apples.
• He is started to be a little more consistent with pee-pee in the potty.  M&Ms as a reward works pretty well.  Kaka......well that's a different story.
• He loves his little brother, Lazar, and wants to hold and kiss him often. 
• Mickey Mouse, Thomas the Train, and Sponge Bob are pretty cool dudes. 
• He does not like it when Lazar cries.  He yells out a scream to try to make him stop.  The only thing that helps is my growing headache.
• When he tantrums, they are full blown.  Welcome to the terrible twos.
• He is super affectionate.  He makes a mmmm noise when we give him a good hug or kiss.  He still gives the best hugs and kisses hands down.
• We taught him to say he is two just in time.

Maksim,

Papa and Mama love you so much.  Thanks for being ours.  Happy 2nd birthday!

Love, Mama and Papa Krimerman

Love,

First Gen Fam

Labor Day Weekend

Us in the hipster heat at the M83 Concert.

Seriously the best shot we could get during the 4D ultrasound.  I call this picture "balls."

This weekend was a busy one; what's new right?  I got offered a free 4D ultrasound to see my "baby in belly."  My doctor's office purchased a new machine and needed some preggo ladies for training.  I figured why not, its free.  We were pretty excited to see the little guy's face truth be told.   Did we see it?  No.  He decided not to show face after I tried to switch sides, jump, move around, etc.  He gave us nothing.  So in the end I am glad it was free.  We did get a cool little video and a great shot of his baby balls.  No doubt it's a boy.  Stan and I had a little date later that evening.  We headed out to see M83 in concert.  Great concert and we really enjoyed the opening local band, Hyena.  We made it out a little early because it got so hot there and it was getting tough trying to swim through a sea of hipsters at almost 30 weeks pregnant.

Ashvin blowing out his bday candle.

Saturday we got to go to Maksim's buddy's (Ashvin) 2nd bday party.  My little guy had so much fun that he took a nice long 3.5 hour nap after.  I guess that is what trains, trucks, pools, and cupcakes do to an active toddler.  Later that evening my long time friend, Nada, came into town to enjoy a few days of Krimerman company.

Nada and I.  Sushi Ra.

Jelena and Dusan (Sushi Ra)

On Sunday the gals enjoyed an afternoon of shopping.  My feet are still hating me.  Later that evening we headed out to Sushi Ra for late night happy hour.

Causing trouble at the pool party.  Papa and Maksim.

We finished our long weekend with a pool birthday party on Monday.  Enjoyed some good food, sun, and people.

Updates:

• We finally got a dining table for our place so we are no longer eating off of Maksim's kid Ikea table.
• The new place is almost organized!  Another week and we should be all set!
• Maksim says the word "hot" now; probably because summer is still in full swing in San Diego.  
• My favorite word that Maksim says now is "waitttttt," it is too hilarious.
• Maksim has officially learned to put on his fireman boots.  If I don't hear him for a long time while he is in his room I know he is working on getting them on. Fashion does take time.  

Maksim and his fireman boots.  He now says "cheese" for pictures.

Love,

First Gen Fam

We are Officially Moved.....+ Maksim Updates

Our first home, cleaned and all moved out.

We are now officially moved into our new rental place yet we are still living out of boxes. I have so far organized the bathrooms and kitchen with the help of my Aunt Mika which has been a godsend.  I did a major purge too (5 large boxes worth!) which felt uplifting. I didn't do any heavy lifting due to being 7 months pregnant but organizing really has taken a toll on my lower back.  Just to think once we find a place to buy I will be doing this all over again....cringe.  Moving sucks but it's for the best.  Our old place officially closed escrow yesterday which was bittersweet.  When we dropped off our keys last night my heart sank a bit.  Lots of great memories were spent there.  It was our first home together and we brought Maksim home from the hospital there too.  Maksim really didn't have to adjust to the new place which made things easy.  He is having fun going through the boxes and essentially making a mess.

Now for some Maksim updates:

• Breaking news!  Maksim has went pee in his potty now twice!!!!  Twice I said!  This is huge and we give him a standing ovation which he loves.  Now if we can get him potty trained before the baby comes would be a miracle.  
• His vocabulary is really expanding.  He is constantly saying "over there."  Its his first official English sentence.  Other words have been play, hot, kaka, moon, one, two, all done, cheese, and other misc Russian/Serbian words.  Some words that come out of his mouth really come to a surprise to us.  I guess we can thank Mickey Mouse Clubhouse for that.  I really realized he almost understands everything we tell him.  Does he listen all the time, well no.  
• Maksim and I are both healthy again.  His appetite is back to normal which means he eats a lot!  He has a new found passion for french fries, fish, and M&Ms.  

Love,

First Gen Fam

What's New with Maksim: 20 Months

• Maksim has graduated from his high chair.  Now he either sits at his little Ikea table to eat or at the big table with us.
• He has a thing for coffee.  Coffee mugs, Starbucks cups, etc.  He has to have them. I now add the slightest bit of chocolate milk and he thinks he is enjoying a cup of java. 
• He only wants to drink out of regular cups.  Not sippy cups but regular adult glass drinking cups.  It's a mess but sometimes he will still take a sippy cup.
• He likes to eat with silverware rather than his hands.  The little guy has some manners.
• Trains, trains, trains.  They are the best thing ever!
• He is a demanding little guy.  Commands like "let's go," "down," "upstairs," "over there," and "nom."  Of course "no" is his favorite.
• Swimming lessons are over.  Coronado Rec Ctr instructors are awesome.  I am so impressed with how much he has learned.
• He gives me kisses and hugs galore.  I love them sloppy, snotty, or however I can get them.

Love,

First Gen Fam

Love,
First Gen Fam

Sick & Otay

Maksim has been under the weather for a week or so.  He is finally getting better so I am a bit relieved.  The lingering cough, lethargic manner, and loss of appetite still make me a little nervous.  But at least he doesn't have a high temperature.  He is still battling a bad bug but I finally see light at the end of the tunnel.  On top of moving soon his sickness hasn't helped with my overall stress level.  We did find an apartment with a 6 month lease so at least that is something I can check off my list.  Its a huge weight that has been lifted off my shoulders along with Maksim finally getting better.

Some updates I have to record about Maksim so I can look back (basically not forget):

• He primarily understands Serbian and Russian so I feel like that is a win.  English will come to him easily so I am not worried about that.
• He is 3 feet tall.  Still a big boy.
• His eyes are blue!  I kept thinking they were going to change color.  They are a mix of blue/grey and a tinge of green.  
• Everything is No and/or Okay (or Otay by his pronunciation).  I love asking him questions now and I can't help but to smile when he answers otay.  I thought he would pick up on "yes", "yeah", or "da" at least but otay is here to stay instead.
• He is able to recite all his facial features, nose, eyes, head, teeth, etc. and some other body parts in Serbian, too cute.
• He has full on conversations on the phone and person to person.  What is he saying, well I don't speak toddler so its hard to say.
• He has been eating with adult utensils all by himself for a couple months.  It's cute to watch him go to his table (or our dining room table -  big boy style) sit and eat.
• I bought him underwear.  I didn't think they made them that little.  They are adorable.  He does tell me at times when he wants to go to the bathroom.  He rips his diaper off and sits on his toilet.  No pee or kaka to hit the bowl yet but at least he is willing to learn and has the patience; now its just about consistency on our end.
• He says hi and waves his hand to everyone that is passing.  
• He let the doctor at his sick visit check his ears, oxygen level, and even said "ahh" so she can check his throat.  All without complaining or crying.  We and the doctor herself were so impressed at what good boy he was at taking directions.  He is growing up.
• He slapped my prego belly for the first time yesterday and said "baby."  Melted my heart.

Love,

First Gen Fam

He Says S*%# Video Total Parenting Fail

I give Stan full credit for teaching him the word, S*%#.  He is making his way through a jungle gym at the zoo when his foot slips along with the word from his mouth.  I am glad I caught it on this really short video to enjoy when he gets older.  Basically the word comes out with every drop of an item or when he falls.   Even a nearby mom overheard and started laughing.  We laugh now but I know I will regret it soon enough when he starts preschool.  Enjoy our parenting fail!

Love,
First Gen Fam

Happy Weekend and Maki News

In Aunt Jelena's tennis shoes.

My belly 21 weeks.  I can still see my shoes at this point!

The weekend is finally here!  I live for the weekends.  I am looking forward to going to Glen Ivy Spa with my bestie, Ollie tomorrow. The plan is to roll around in the mud baths like pigs and lounge around the pool and pretend to be one of the ladies from the Housewives reality shows sans the flat tummy for me.  

Some new things our Maki is doing as of late:

• Some new words we have heard as of late:  push, boat, and even the word throw (in Serbian).  It surprises us each time.
• He is a real swimmer.  Kicks, blows bubbles, and splashes water on command at swim lessons and even shows off in the bath tub.  Maki even pushes us away in the water so he can swim on his own (ahh, no way he's not ready for that yet) and wants to jump in by himself.  Fearless I tell you!
• He started kissing us randomly without being asked.  Its a true heart melter.
• He is constantly trying to put shoes on himself.  He tends to like his Aunt's tennis shoes the best.  Did I mention he has huge feet!  Size 7 already!
• Maki can name all the Disney characters from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse now.  I thinking he is understanding more and more because he laughs at the right queues.  
• Hitting?  Yeah, we are in that phase now.  He doesn't like sharing Mama with Papa. Papa gets a territorial slap from Maki and it's so hard not to laugh.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Love,

First Gen Fam

Good-bye to Cleveland

Maksim loving the neighbor's trampoline.
My father recording our time together.  Father and I.

My Aunt and Maksim.  They had a blast together.  He calls her Baba-boo.

My favorite photo.  My Aunt, Father, and Maksim.  The photo scream joy!

Finally the last blog post about our Cleveland/Pittsburgh trip.  There were so many pictures I had to share them in several posts.  Our trip was full of excitement with my best friend's wedding and hanging out with family we have not seen in over a year.  We all learned many new things on this trip such as:

• Traveling with a toddler wasn't so bad.  Maybe because I always expect the worse. See my tips with traveling with a toddler here.
• Maksim learned the word "No" (thanks to Stoja's triplets)
• We as a family need to get a place with a "real" backyard.  Maybe a move is in order?  It is totally up in the air!
• Maksim loves trampolines as you can see from the photos above, hence why we need a yard.
• My hair is so silky smooth in Cleveland; it has to be the water.  
• Cleveland is green!  Really, really green in the summer.  I forgot that but my nose quickly made me remember.  My allergies were out of control!  
• We are loved.  We are so lucky to have such wonderful family and friends.  A big thank you to my wonderful Father and Aunt for making our trip the best and taking care of Maksim!

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Love,
First Gen Fam